Couple tie the knot in truly stylish fashion at Ghyll Barn

A farmer and his partner have now tied the knot after meeting at a field day dance back in 2017. 

Matthew Emmott, 27, and Amy Swinbank, 25, of Embleton were married at Dufton with Knock Methodist Chapel, followed by reception at Ghyll Barn, Long Marton.

Matthew is a farmer whilst Amy is a primary school teacher; they met at the Southern District Field Day Dance in 2017. Amy said: “We had been introduced to each other earlier in the day, when Matty was completing the scoreboard in his role as Northern District Chairman for Cumbria YFC.

“Matty proposed to me on May 20, 2021, exactly 4 years to the day that we had first met.

“We started the evening with a meal out and because of the weather being so bad Matty proposed in our home that we had recently renovated.”

The couple celebrate on their special day

The theme of the wedding was rustic and country, the bride’s dress was bought from Songbird Bridal in Keswick and was a Stella York. The veil was by Chief Bridesmaid’s Emma Williamson, who was married in 2020.

The bride’s hair was done by The Salon in Appleby and her make up by the Instaglammer. 

Her bridesmaids were Emma Williamson, the Chief Bridesmaid, who is her best friend, Imogen Johnston, also her best friend, Sarah Stobart, the groom’s sister, Sophie Clapham, the bride’s cousin and Amie Williams another of her best friends.

Their dresses were by True Bride bought from Blush Bridal, in Whitehaven.

All wedding flowers created by Marilyn Tinkler, of The Lavish Flower House.

The transport for the wedding was two black Range Rovers owned and driven by Chris Swinbank, the bride’s uncle, and Craig Robinson, the bride’s friend.

There were 80 guests during the day with drinks and canapes served to them on arrival to Ghyll Barn followed by a two course meal. Speeches were given by the groom, the father of the bride and the best man. 

News and Star: Friends and family gather outside the church. Image Credit: Jill Harrington Friends and family gather outside the church. Image Credit: Jill Harrington

Amy said: “The speeches were a very emotional part of the day! Eliza Gutteridge sang when guests arrived and also after the speeches. A further 120 were invited to the evening reception, with a buffet and dancing.”

“Each guest received a Multiple Sclerosis pin badge. Amy’s mum, Avril Swinbank, has had MS for over 23 years and so this was a charity close to our hearts and one that we were keen to support.”

Catering for the wedding was provided by Applegarth Foods, which included canapé’s, a main course and dessert and also an evening buffet. 

The cake was three tiers and created by Matthew’s sister, Sarah Stobart. The cake featured a Mr and Mrs Emmott cake topper and was decorated with models of our dog Alvin, Matthew’s sheepdog Spot, Millie the border terrier and a Leicester, Swaledale and Mule sheep, which are the breeds of sheep kept on the farm.

The couple celebrated with a mini honeymoon on the Ayrshire coast staying at the Seamill Hydro Resort and Spa.

All of the special moments were captured by Jill Harrington Photography and their first dance was Flowers in The Window by Travis. 

The couple added: “The service was taken by Rev Andrew Stirling and Jim Walker was the organist. During the signing of the register, a recorded clip of Amy’s class of children at Eaglesfield Paddle CE Primary Academy was played, singing Bruno Mars’ Count on Me.

“The names of the tables at the wedding reception were named after the fells that surround the farm. Amy’s bridesmaid and friend from university, Amie, hand painted each fell and these were displayed on each table.

News and Star: The couple with their bridesmaids and groomsmen. Image Credit: Jill Harrington The couple with their bridesmaids and groomsmen. Image Credit: Jill Harrington

“Amy then took Amie’s painting and used these to create the table plan, which was presented on a large OS Map, as well as the order of services, name cards and other stationary on the day.”

Our Wedding Album page is our chance to showcase your nuptials and also to shine a light on the people and businesses who helped make it special. If you wish to feature, contact us at news.carlisle@cnmedia.co.uk.